1. Innovation Culture & Governance

The institution’s commitment to fostering a mindset of creativity and experimentation

– Presence of an institutional innovation policy or cell (e.g., IIC, IPR cell, IDEA lab)
– Annual innovation/idea challenges or hackathons
– Participation in national initiatives (e.g., ARIIA, Smart India Hackathon, NIRF Innovation rankings)
– Faculty and student awareness programs on design thinking, entrepreneurship, and innovation

2. Research & Development Innovation

The capacity to conduct novel research with real-world impact

– Number of funded research projects with innovative approaches
– Patents filed/granted (per year or per 100 faculty/students)
– Research outputs involving AI/ML, pharmacogenomics, precision medicine, digital health, etc.
– Participation in interdisciplinary or translational research initiatives

3. Product & Process Innovation

Development of novel drugs, devices, formulations, or systems

– Prototypes developed or validated
– Innovations in dosage forms, delivery systems, or compounding methods
– Participation in regulatory filing of new formulations or clinical protocols
– Collaborations for development of low-cost or accessible healthcare products

4. Innovation Infrastructure & Ecosystem

Availability of facilities and support for idea incubation and implementation

– Existence of innovation labs, maker spaces, biotech incubators, etc.
– Access to simulation software, 3D printing, molecular modeling tools, etc.
– Student startup incubation centers or technology transfer offices
– Collaboration with national incubators (e.g., BIRAC, Atal Incubation Center)

5. Entrepreneurship & Start-up Support

Promotion of entrepreneurial thinking and venture creation

– Number of student/faculty-led startups or spin-offs
– Participation in entrepreneurship programs (e.g., E-Cell activities, pitch competitions)
– Startups receiving grants (e.g., BIRAC, DST) or industry investment
– Availability of IP protection and business mentorship

6. Curriculum & Pedagogy Innovation

Adoption of modern teaching-learning methods that encourage innovation

– Integration of problem-based learning, flipped classrooms, and innovation challenges
– Courses on innovation, IPR, entrepreneurship, or design thinking
– Use of AR/VR, AI-based learning, or simulation software in pharmacy education
– Interdisciplinary projects or electives with engineering, computer science, or design departments

7. Industry-Academia Innovation Collaborations

Joint efforts with industry to solve healthcare challenges

– Number of collaborative R&D or innovation projects with industry
– Sponsored consultancy projects or technical problem-solving for pharma companies
– Joint patent filings or co-developed technologies
– Industry-sponsored innovation awards or challenges

8. Student Engagement in Innovation

Student involvement in ideation, prototyping, and real-world problem solving

– % of students involved in innovation projects or competitions
– Awards won at national/international innovation events
– Number of student innovations reaching prototyping or incubation stage
– Cross-functional student teams working on societal or healthcare problems